Yin Chen Hao Tang, Artemisia Yinchenhao Decoction, is Yin Chen Hao, Zhi Zi and Da Huang. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that clear Damp-Heat, and records it as clearing Heat, resolving Dampness and reducing jaundice.

Herb

Amount

yin chen hao

18 g

zhi zi

9 g

da huang

6 g

Actions and indications

Clears Heat and resolves Dampness

Excess pattern: Damp-Heat blocking Liver and Gallbladder as well as Spleen and Stomach
Fullness or distention of the upper abdomen and abdomen, chest discomfort, nausea or vomiting
Thirst with a wish only to sip, sweating limited to the head, possibly a low fever
Difficult urination with dark, scanty urine; dry stools or constipation; stools may be grayish pale
Edema; mania in some cases

Reduces jaundice

Yang-type jaundice from Damp-Heat: the skin of the whole body and the whites of the eyes turn a bright, tangerine-like yellow
Differs from cold-damp (Yin) jaundice by its bright color and signs of interior Heat
Drains Damp-Heat out through both urine and stool
Tongue pink with a greasy yellow coat; pulse rapid and slippery, or deep and forceful

Modern uses

Jaundice
Neonatal jaundice
Hepatitis with jaundice
Acute infectious hepatitis
Chronic active hepatitis
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis C
Cholestasis
Raised bilirubin
Hepatic necrosis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Liver cancer
Cholelithiasis
Cholecystitis
Biliary atresia
Acute pancreatitis
Malaria
Typhoid fever
Leptospirosis
AIDS/HIV
Acute leukemia
Hemolytic anemia
Hyperlipidemia
Urticaria
Acne
Eczema
Seborrheic dermatitis
Pruritus
Herpes simplex
Herpes zoster
Nausea and vomiting
Indigestion
Anorexia
Abdominal fullness and distention
Constipation
Oliguria
Edema
Nephritis
Hematuria
Uterine bleeding
Vaginal discharge
Stomatitis
Gingivitis
Eye pain
Eye disorders
Wei syndrome
Hernia
Beriberi
Perspiration

Modifications

Intense Heat, such as a high fever: + long dan cao, + ban lan gen, + hu zhang

Fever with chills: + lian qiao, + ye ju hua

Fever with chills, alternative: + chai hu, + huang qin

Hypochondriac pain and other signs of Liver Qi stagnation: + chai hu, + chuan lian zi, + xiang fu, + bai shao

Hypochondriac or flank pain with a full abdomen: + yu jin, + zhi shi

Nausea and vomiting, with or without poor appetite: + zhu ru, + shen qu, + zhi ban xia

Nausea and vomiting, alternative: + huang lian, + bai shao, + zhi ban xia

Indigestion together with vomiting and nausea: + zhu ru, + zhi ban xia

Gallstones: + jin qian cao, + chai hu

Gallstones, alternative: + zhu ru, + pi pa ye

Gallstones, second alternative: + jin qian cao, + yu jin, + zhi ke

Anorexia: + shen qu, + mai ya, + jiao bing lang

Show all 112 modifications

Anorexia, alternative: + shan zha, + shen qu, + zhi mai ya
Intermittent fever with headache and a bitter taste: + huang qin
Chills alternating with fever: + chai hu, + huang qin
Delirium: + niu huang
Severe hepatitis: + hu zhang, + shi chang pu
Hepatitis A, with two or three of the other listed herbs as well: + huang bai, + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, + ban lan gen, + hu zhang, + bai hua she she cao, + ban zhi lian, + da qing ye
Scanty brown urine: + hua shi, + ze xie, + jin qian cao
To help pass stones: + hai jin sha, + ji nei jin
No constipation: − da huang
Dampness outweighing Heat: + yi yi ren, + hua shi, + zhi ban xia, + xing ren, + hou po, + bai dou kou, + dan zhu ye
Heat outweighing Dampness: + lian qiao, + long dan cao
Jaundice: + jin qian cao
Stones blocking the bile duct: + wei ling xian, + jin qian cao
Acne: + jin yin hua, + huang lian
Blood in the urine with jaundice: + xiao ji, + ce bai ye
Poor appetite with bloating: + chen pi, + mu xiang
Jaundice with more Dampness: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + ze xie
Jaundice with more Heat: + huang bai, + long dan cao
Severe jaundice: + hu zhang, + pu gong ying
Oliguria: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + hua shi
Painful urination: + mu tong, + hua shi, + jin qian cao
Thirst with a full, oppressed feeling: + huang lian, + huang qin
Loose stools that are hard to pass: + pei lan
Scanty yellow urine: + ze xie, + jin qian cao
Hypochondriac pain: + chai hu, + chuan lian zi, + yu jin
Full abdomen with no appetite: + shan zha, + mai ya
Hepatitis where Heat outweighs Dampness: + bai jiang cao, + huang bai, + long dan cao, + yu jin
Hepatitis where Dampness outweighs Heat: + cang zhu, + fu ling, + pei lan
Hepatitis where Dampness outweighs Heat, alternative: + huang qin, + huang lian, + long dan cao
Hepatitis with abdominal distention: + hou po, + lai fu zi
Hepatitis where the patient vomits or feels nauseous: + zhu ru, + zhi ban xia, + sheng jiang
Hepatitis with hypochondriac pain: + yan hu suo, + chuan lian zi
Acute viral hepatitis in infants: + che qian zi, + mu tong
Jaundice following gallbladder removal: + huang qin, + yu jin, + jin qian cao
Jaundice of viral hepatitis, vomiting or nausea present: + zhu ru, + zhi ban xia
Viral hepatitis jaundice with fluid accumulation: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + da fu pi
Viral hepatitis jaundice with enlarged liver and spleen: + dan shen, + yu jin
Viral hepatitis jaundice with itchy skin: + qin jiao, + qin pi
Viral hepatitis jaundice with chills and fever: + chai hu, + huang qin
Seborrheic dermatitis: + bai hua she she cao, + ku shen, + she chuang zi, + di fu zi
Seborrheic dermatitis, as a topical wash: + ku shen, + ma chi xian, + liu huang, + ju hua, + bai bu
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness: + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with nausea and vomiting: + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao, + zhu ru, + zhi ban xia
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with fullness and distention of the epigastrium and abdomen: + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao, + zhi shi, + hou po
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with hypochondriac pain: + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao, + chai hu, + yu jin, + chuan lian zi
Jaundice with marked Heat and Dampness: + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao, + long dan cao, + ban lan gen, + hu zhang
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with gallstones (combined with San Jin Tang): + bai jiang cao, + lian qiao, + che qian zi, + gan cao
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with very dry stools and constipation: + huang bai, + mang xiao
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with dark urine that is very hard to pass: + huang bai, + ze xie, + zhu ling
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with strong nausea or vomiting of bitter fluid: + huang bai, + huang lian, + zhu ru
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with flank pain: + huang bai, + chai hu, + yu jin, + chuan lian zi
Jaundice where Heat outweighs Dampness, with marked fullness and distention of the stomach and abdomen: + huang bai, + hou po, + zhi shi, + shan zha, + mai ya
Jaundice from toxic Heat (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin): + hong tian kui, − tian kui zi
High fever: + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, + ban lan gen, + shi gao
Heat-dominant jaundice with strong nausea and vomiting: + zhu ru, + huang lian
Heat-dominant jaundice with drum-like abdominal distention: + zhi ke, + hou po
Heat-dominant jaundice with severe pain of the ribs and flanks: + yu jin, + chai hu
Heat-dominant jaundice with high body temperature and a yellow tongue coat: + huang bai, + huang qin
Heat-dominant jaundice with high body temperature and Heat at the Blood level: + chi shao, + mu dan pi
Heat-dominant jaundice once signs and symptoms return to normal: + fu ling, + bai zhu
Damp-dominant jaundice: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + bai zhu, + ze xie, + rou gui, − zhi zi, − da huang
Jaundice mainly from Dampness, vomiting or nausea present: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + bai zhu, + ze xie, + rou gui, + zhi ban xia, + chen pi, − zhi zi, − da huang
Jaundice mainly from Dampness, abdomen badly distended: + fu ling, + zhu ling, + bai zhu, + ze xie, + rou gui, + bing lang, + mu xiang, − zhi zi, − da huang
Heat-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Heat-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones with high fever (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, + shi gao, + ban lan gen, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Heat-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones with nausea and vomiting (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, + zhu ru, + zhi ban xia, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Heat-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones with sluggish appetite (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, + mai ya, + shan zha, + shen qu, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Heat-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones with Blood stagnation (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, + dan shen, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie
Damp-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei), − long dan cao
Damp-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones without constipation (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and San Ren Tang): + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei), − long dan cao, − da huang
Damp-dominant cholecystitis and gallstones with jaundice (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and San Ren Tang): + yu jin, + hai jin sha, + mu xiang, + ji nei jin, + jin qian cao, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei), − long dan cao
Hepatitis C: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao
Alternative combination, indication unclear (combined with San Ren Tang): + wei ling xian, + jin qian cao
Hepatitis C with pronounced rib-side pain: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + chuan lian zi, + yan hu suo
Hepatitis C with Fire injuring Yin: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + bei sha shen, + mai men dong
Hepatitis C with insomnia and being easily frightened: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + ye jiao teng, + he huan pi
Hepatitis C with abdominal distention, focal distention and fullness: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + yu jin, + hou po, + mu xiang
Hepatitis C with turbid red urine: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + ze xie, + che qian zi
Hepatitis C with loose, foul-smelling stools: + quan shen, + bai hua she she cao, + guan zhong, + zi cao, + tu fu ling, + sheng ma, + gan cao, + huang qin
Hepatitis C from Damp-Heat damaging the Ying and Blood levels: + shui niu jiao, + jin yin hua, + zi hua di ding, + xia ku cao, + mu dan pi, + chi shao, + huang lian
Hepatitis C from Damp-Heat in the Ying and Blood levels, with nosebleeds: + shui niu jiao, + jin yin hua, + zi hua di ding, + xia ku cao, + mu dan pi, + chi shao, + huang lian, + bai jiang cao, + ce bai ye
Hepatitis C from Damp-Heat in the Ying and Blood levels, with blood in the urine: + shui niu jiao, + jin yin hua, + zi hua di ding, + xia ku cao, + mu dan pi, + chi shao, + huang lian, + da ji, + xiao ji, + ce bai ye
Hepatitis C from Damp-Heat in the Ying and Blood levels, with vomiting of blood or bleeding gums: + shui niu jiao, + jin yin hua, + zi hua di ding, + xia ku cao, + mu dan pi, + chi shao, + huang lian, + bai mao gen, + ce bai ye
Jaundice (combined with Da Chai Hu Tang): + mu xiang, + yu jin, + che qian zi, − zhi shi
Gallstones (combined with Da Chai Hu Tang): + jin qian cao, + mu xiang, + hu zhang, − zhi ban xia
Gallstones with fever (combined with Da Chai Hu Tang): + jin qian cao, + mu xiang, + hu zhang, + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, − zhi ban xia
Gallstones with vomiting (combined with Da Chai Hu Tang): + jin qian cao, + mu xiang, + hu zhang, + zhu ru
Liver cancer where Heat outweighs Dampness: + yin chen hao, + che qian zi, + long dan cao, + tu fu ling, + huang bai
Liver cancer: + zhu ling, + ze xie, + shui hong huang zi, + dan shen, + e zhu, + bai hua she she cao, − da huang
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice and stronger Heat: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen, + da qing ye, + pu gong ying
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice and stronger Dampness: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen, + cang zhu, + hou po, + ze xie
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice, nausea and vomiting: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen, + zhi ban xia, + zhu ru
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice, abdominal distention and no appetite: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen, + shan zha, + mai ya, + shen qu
Acute viral hepatitis with jaundice and itching skin: + huang bai, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + ban lan gen, + bai mao gen, + bai xian pi, + di fu zi
Acute infectious hepatitis in a Yin-deficient patient with Heat inside: + sheng di huang, + shi hu
Cholecystitis (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Cholecystitis with high fever (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + shi gao, + ban lan gen, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Cholecystitis with nausea and vomiting (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + zhi ban xia, + zhu ru, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)
Cholecystitis with poor appetite (combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang): + jin yin hua, + yu jin, + lian qiao, + zhi shi, + mu xiang, + shan zha, + shen qu, + ji nei jin, + mai ya, − mu dan pi, − che qian zi, − ze xie, − sheng di huang, − dang gui (wei)

Cautions

contraindication Yin (cold-damp) jaundice, with dull smoky-yellow skin, cold limbs, tiredness and loose stools; this cold, purging formula would further harm Spleen and Stomach Yang

caution Spleen and Stomach deficiency, diarrhea or a tendency to loose stools: use with care, as Da Huang purges

caution For short courses only; once jaundice clears and the bowels settle, adjust the formula or stop it

pregnancy Pregnancy: the purgative Da Huang is normally avoided, so give only under professional supervision and with great care

Pinyin

yin chen hao tang

English Name

Artemisia Yinchenhao Decoction

yin chen hao tang

About yin chen hao tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Clears Heat and resolves Dampness

Reduces jaundice

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification